Day 79: Love Everyone

The Prompt: A bum comes into church.  What happens?

He came in so silently that almost no one noticed he had even come in.  Almost.  He slunk into the back row where he hoped no one would notice him, but he knew that would never work with his smell, his clothes, his hair.  He stuck out like a bright red, pussy pimple on a clean face.  The bum made sure to sit next to no one, but that didn't keep him hidden.  The people in the row in front of him turned around, probably from the smell, and gawked at him, as though he had been in the classroom and had rudely interrupted them. 

Then the wave of whispers started.  In a matter of mintues the mad rush of hushed tones made it up to the fron trows and everyone had to turn around and stare with disdain at the unwelcome guest.  The man bowed his head even lower than it had already been.  He tried to disappear, and he tugged at his tattered, stained jacket, as though that might magically hide himself.  As he moved, a few people wuickly turned their heads arond, so he would not see them staring at him.

A young woman, in her late twenties, rose from her seat in the middle of the aisle about 15 rows ahead of him.  She had dark purple hair and a highlighter yellow dress on with deep blue shoes.  Her limbs displayed some colorful tattoos, and she sported some extra piercings on her face.  She strode right up to him, no reservations, no lack of confidence, and she stuck out her hand.

"Hi, I'm Susie.  Welcome to First Light Church."

The man slowly raised his head and stared up at the face.  Once he saw the genuinity, he took her hand, and Susie shook it warmly.

"I hope you enjoy today's message.  God bless!"  And with that, she turned right back around and cheerfully sat in her seat again.

Richard stared blankly at the hand, remembering the kindness that had touched it moments before.  A small smile spread across his face as he leaned back against the wooden pew.  More people walked over to him or turned around to greet him.  Some were rather shy in their approach, and others seemed to feel a bit ashamed or awkward.  Richard appreciated their sentiments, even if some were fake or delayed.  No compared to that first person though that loved him as she did herself.  To her, he was a man.